Anchor link



April 25, 1967 J. c. TRAVILLA ANCHOR LINK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 23, 1961 INVENTOR. H6. 2 JAMES 6. TPA V/LLA Ap 1967 J. c. TRAVILLA ANCHOR LINK 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Original Filed Oct. 23, 1961 INVENTOR. JAMES c m4 I//L4A /97 7 0 IVEKS" United States Patent 3,315,555 ANCHOR LINK James C. Travilla, Ladue, Mo., assignmto General Steel Industries, Inc., Granite City, 111., a corporation of Delaware Original application Oct. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 146,969, now Patent No. 3,254,611, dated June 7, 1966. Divided and this application Feb. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 527,842 6 Claims. (Cl. 851.5)

This application is a division of and continuation-inpart of my copending application Ser. No. 146,969, filed Oct. 23, 1961, now Patent 3,254,611, issued June 7, 1966.

The invention relates to an anchor link adapted to connect relatively moving parts of apparatus such as the frame of a railway vehicle truck and a bolster movable laterally and vertically but not longitudinally thereof.

In an anchor link for this purpose, it is desirable that metal to metal contact between the link and the connected parts be avoided and that movement between the connected parts lengthwise of the anchor be minimized and that considerable freedom of movement between the parts vertically and transversely of the anchor be permitted.

In older types of railway trucks the bolster is held against movement lengthwise of the truck by sliding engagement of surfaces on the bolster sides with corresponding transverse surfaces on the truck frame structure. Newer types of trucks are provided with anchor links, spaced apart transversely of the truck and extending lengthwise thereof and each connected at one end to the truck frame and at the other end to the bolster, the connections usually comprising transversely extending upright brackets on the bolster and the truck frame with fiat pads of rubber compressed between the brackets and opposing elements on the ends of the anchor link on both sides of the brackets.

Such conventional anchor links, although effective to prevent movement of the bolster longitudinally of the frame and to transmit tractive and braking forces between the bolster and the frame, also provide substantial resistance to transverse and vertical movements of the bolster relative to the frame because of the fact that these movements require substantial compression of the rubber pads so that such movements are resisted by the relatively high resistance of rubber to compression.

It is accordingly the object of the invention to provide an anchor link for connecting two elements without metal to metal contact, and facilitating their relative movement transversely of the link while resisting their relative movement lengthwise of the link.

It is a further object to provide an improved anchor link having a high longitudinal rate and a lower lateral and vertical rate, for the eflfectuation of the immediately preceding object.

It is a further object to provide an anchor link having self-contained means for snubbing relative lateral and vertical movements of the bolster and truck frame.

The foregoing and additional more detailed objects and advantages are achieved by the structure described hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a railway truck provided with anchor links embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the truck illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view partially sectionalized of the anchor link shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a modified form of the truck.

FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a 3,315,555 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 "ice modified form of anchor link embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, a pair of rotatable assemblies comprising axles 1 and spaced wheels 2 mounted thereon support, at their ends, journal boxes 3. Separate side frames 5 are formed at their ends with depending pedestal jaws 7, in which are received journal boxes 3, by means of which side frames 5 are nonresiliently supported on wheel and axle assemblies 1, 2. Intermediate pedestal jaws 7, each of the side frames 5 is in the form of a queen-post truss having a top chord 9 and a bottom chord 11 merging at its ends, adjacent the pedestal jaws, with top chord 9 and spaced therefrom intermediate its ends by upright columns 13 which are spaced apart longitudinally of the side frame, bottom chord 11 being horizontal between columns 13, as at 15. The upper surface of bottom chord intermediate portion 15 is widened as at 17 and is provided with upwardly open recesses 19 in its surface whereby to stably support spring seat 21 having a horizontal bottom wall 22 formed with depending bosses 25 receivable within recesses 19. Each of the spring seats 21 supports a pair of upright springs 23 having their axes disposed symmetricaly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the supporting side frame and in a common vertical plane transverse of the truck. Each of the springs 23 comprises a metal coil spring 25 embedded in a hollow substantially cylindrical mass 27 of rubber or other elastomeric material, and having inner and outer surfaces conforming substantially to the windings of the coil. Such springs have a variable rate characteristic and are to a large extent self-damping because of the damping characteristics of the elastomer.

A transverse bolster 29 is supported on springs 23 through its end portions 31 which extend through the side frame windows formed by top chords 9, bottom chord intermediate portions 15 and columns 13. The central portion of bolster 29 is of box section and is formed intermediate its ends with an upwardly facing pivot center plate 30, on which is pivotally supported body bolster B (FIG. 3). The end portions of bolster 29 are of downwardly-open channel cross section so as to receive the tops of the springs, and are somewhat narrower than the side frame windows so that there is no engagement and possibility of wear between columns 13 and the bolster or of interference with the longitudinal tilting movement of the side frames relative to each other which is required for full equalization. At the junctures of the bolster central and end portions the bolster top wall is slightly elevated to form a mounting for side bearings 32. Between the side bearings and center plate the truck bolster top wall is depressed for reasons which will appear below.

For maintaining the truck in tram, i.e., the side frames at right angles to the bolster, bolster 29 is connected to each of the side frames by pairs of longitudinallyextending transversely-spaced parallel anchor links 49. To effect this connection, each of the side frames is formed with an outwardly-extending bracket including a transverse vertical plate-like web 35 and suitable gussets spaced lengthwise of the side frame from the Window at a height slightly lower than the bolster end portion. Generally similar brackets with transverse vertical plate-like webs 37 extend inwardly from each of the side frames through the space between the bolster and the wheels at the same end of the truck as outboard bracket webs 35. The side wall 39 of the bolster on the side thereof nearest bracket webs 35 is extended out- Wardly at each end of the bolster to form transverse vertical plate-like webs 41 aligned with webs 35, and the opposite side wall 42 of the bolster is extended above the depressed portion of the bolster top wall 43 immediately inboard of side bearings 32 to form transverse vertical plate-like webs 45 aligned lengthwise of the truck with inboard side frame bracket webs 37. Bracket webs 35 and 41, and 37 and 45 respectively are formed with aligned perforations and are connected by longitudinally extending parallel anchor links 49, an example of which is best seen in FIG. 6, so that bolster 29 can move verti+ cally, or transversely relative to the side frames, but cannot angle in the horizontal plane from its normal position perpendicular to the side frames. To minimize the height of the inboard anchor links, they pass through the depressions in the bolster inboard of the side bearings and their connections to the bolster and the side frames on opposite sides of the bolster, longitudinally of the truck, makes it possible for the inboard anchor links and their associated mounting bracket webs on the side frames to clear the wheels longitudinally of the truck. The out board anchor links, by being offset longitudinally from the bolster, are at a lower level than the top of the bolster, thus assuring that they will not interfere with car body side sills mounted at S on the ends of body bolster B (FIG. 3).

Each of the anchor links 49 consists of a rod 51 threaded at both ends and extending through openings 53, of greater diameter than the rod, in the bracket webs, the opposite transverse surfaces of which surrounding openings 53 are slightly convex. Elastomeric, preferably natural rubber, complementary bodies of substantially hemispherical shape, centrally apertured as at 50 for mounting on rod 51 on both sides of each of the brackets are so mounted and have annular bosses 52 around the apertures extending into the openings 53 so as to space rod 51 from the peripheries thereof and accommodate its angling with respect to the brackets. Hemispherical bodies 55'are annularly rabbeted as at 56, along their peripheral edges, i.e., the peripheral edges of the horizontal surfaces are offset radially inwardly from the hemispherical surfaces, to reduce compressive resistance by the rubber to angling of the rods by permitting the rubber to flow into the grooved recess when the rod is subjected to forces tending to cause it to angle. Between the inner bodies 55, a tubular spacer 57 surrounds rod 51 and .abuts at its ends substantially hemispherical collars 59 having concave semispherical surfaces facing outwardly lengthwise of the rod for engagement with the inner elastomeric bodies 55. On the opposite sides of the brackets, adjacent the ends of rod 51, similar collars 61 are mounted on rod 51 with their concave surfaces facing inwardly lengthwise of the rod. The latter are held in engagement with the outer elastomeric bodies 55 and all the elastomeric bodies 55 are maintained in compression by means of nuts 63 on the threaded ends of rod 51. As is evident from the drawings, elastomeric bodies 55 space the rims of collars 59 from the adjacent surfaces of brackets 35 and 41 so as to accommodate angling of the rod solely by distortion of the elastomeric material and to avoid the possibility of metal to metal contact of collars 59 and 61 with the surfaces of the bracket. As a result of the spherical configuration of the connections of the anchor links 49 to the brackets, these anchor links have a very high longitudinal rate but very low lateral and vertical rates so that they freely accommodate, through torsional and transverse shear in the elastomeric bodies, such vertical and transverse movements of the bolster relative to the side frames as may be permitted For preventing excessive lateral movements of the bolster relative to the side frames, the bolster end portions are formed, outboard of the side frames, with upstanding stop abutments 65, which are engageable with the top chord 9 of the side frames when predetermined lateral displacement of the bolster is reached.

The truck can easily be modified for use-with conventional coil springs (as shown in FIG. 5) if that is desired.

This is accomplishedlby substituting a spring seat 66 for the spring seat 21 used with the coil-rubber springs 23, the substitution, being easily effected because both sprmg seats 21 and 66 have identical bottom Walls 22 which are similarly engageable with upper surface 17 of the side frame bottom chord intermediate members 15. To com 'pensate for the absence of self-contained damping means inv coil springs 67, a bracket 69 is mounted on the end portion of bolster side walls 71, an outboard bracket 73 is mounted on the side frame bottom chord 11, and a friction snubber of conventional type having relatively movable parts 75 and 77, connected respectively to brackets 69 and 73, may be'provided to dampen the vertical oscillations of the coil springs 67. If desired, a hydraulic shock absorber 79 can be mounted on the adjacent column with its laterally-extending operating rod 81 connected to bracket 69 for dampening lateral oscillations of the coil springs.

The modified anchor link 83 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be substituted for each of the anchor links 49 on the truck illustrated in FIG. 5. The modified link comprises an elongated rod 87 extending between and through the apertures in the brackets and terminating outwardly thereof. Mounted on the rod at both sides of each of the brackets are substantially hemispherical bodies 89 and 91 of nonmetallic material, centrally apertured at 93 and 95 respectively to permit the passage therethrough of rod 87 and provided with annular bosses 97 and 99 respectively extending into bracket apertures and spacing the rod therefrom, whereby to avoid metal to metal contact between the rod and the periphery of the aperture and to permit angling of the rod relative to the brackets, as well as to center the hemispherical bodies relative to each other and to the bracket.

One of the bodies adjacent each bracket, preferably bodies 89 on the inner side of the bracket, is of elastomeric material and bodies 91 on the outside of the brackets may be of substantially nonresilient friction material. The friction material bodies 91 are each formed with. an outwardly enlarged substantially conical.

central aperture '95 to permit the required angling of the rod therein. The bodies are held in compressive, relation with the brackets by cups 101 centrally apertured and mounted on the rod, with their concave semispherical interior surfaces in engagement with the convex spherical surfaces of the bodies and their rims 105 spaced from the brackets, the inner cups being held in suitable spaced relation to maintain the bolster and frame in their proper relationship by a tubular spacer 107 surrounding the rod and extending between the inner cups, flanges 109 on the p ends of the spacer being adapted to engage the cups directly or through adjustment washers 111. The outer ends of the rod are threaded as at 113 and are provided with nuts 115 and washers 117 for holding the link in assembled relation, with the elastomeric bodies in com.- pression. 5

During operation of a bogie equipped with anchor links of this type, relative movements of the bolster 29 and side frames 5 longitudinally of the truck willbe opposed by the high resistance of the elastomeric bodies 89 to compression, while angling of the rod relative to the frame and bolster brackets, as required by transverse and vertical movements of the bolster relative to the truck frame, will be facilitated by the spherical shape of the bodies 89 and 91 and the associated cups 101, whereby the elastomeric bodies 89 yield in shear transversely of the rod and parallel to the spherical surface of the masses to accommodate such angling movements of the rod. In order to minimize interference with deflection of the rubber in shear during such angling movements, the peripheral edges 119 of elastomeric bodies 39 are rounded so that the rubber may flow freely without interference from the abutting surfaces of the brackets. Such angling movements are damped by the frictional engagement of outer friction bodies 91 with the inner surfaces of outer cups 101, making possible the elimination of vertical and lateral damping devices 75 and 79 from the truck.

The details of the structure ma be modified substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and exclusive use of such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. An anchor link adapted to connect two relatively movable elements having substantially parallel plate-like webs formed with aligned apertures, comprising a rod adapted to extend between the webs and through the apertures therein, a tubular spacer surrounding the rod between the webs, inner cups mounted on the rod adjacent the ends of the spacer with their concave sides toward the webs, outer cups mounted on the end portions of the rod on the opposite sides of the webs from the inner cups with their concave sides toward the webs, bodies each formed with substantially hemispherical and flat surfaces and a central aperture normal to the fiat surfaces, said bodies surrounding the rod and occupying the spaces between the webs and the inner and outer cups, the hemispherical surfaces abutting concave sides of said cups and the flat surfaces abutting said webs, there being annular bosses on said flat surfaces surrounding the central apertures and extending into the web apertures, and means for holding the cups in compression relation with said bodies, at least one of said bodies adjacent each web being formed of elastomeric material.

2. An anchor link according to claim 1 in which both of the bodies at each end are of elastomeric material.

3. An anchor link according to claim 1 in which the peripheral edges of the flat surfaces of said elastomeric bodies are offset radially inwardly from said hemispherical surfaces.

4. An anchor link according to claim 1 including means for varying the compression of the hemispherical bodies.

5. An anchor link according to claim 1 in which the holding means is adjustable to selected relative positions lengthwise of the rod for varying the compression of said hemispherical bodies.

6. An anchor link according to claim 5 in which the compression-varying holding means comprises a nut threadably mounted on the rod outwardly of an outer cup.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,619,087 3/1927 Pampinella 293-88 2,219,360 10/1940 Green 200 2,290,779 7/1942 Tack 105218 X 2,369,991 2/1945 Travilla 267-66 2,510,353 6/1950 Travilla 105190 2,744,750 5/1956 Smith 105200 X 2,841,097 7/ 1958 Travilla 105-190 X 2,852,269 9/1958 Gaines 267-57 X 2,877,720 3/ 1959 Harley et al. 105l97 2,889,784 6/1959 Shafer 105197 2,908,230 10/ 1959 Dean 105197 2,929,338 3/ 1960 Lich 105-200 X 2,972,489 2/ 1961 Collier et a1 26757 X 3,038,416 6/ 1962 Ianeway 105-193 ATHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, EUGENE G. BOTZ, Examiners.

H. BELTRAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ANCHOR LINK ADAPTED TO CONNECT TWO RELATIVELY MOVABLE ELEMENTS HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL PLATE-LIKE WEBS FORMED WITH ALIGNED APERTURES, COMPRISING A ROD ADAPTED TO EXTEND BETWEEN THE WEBS AND THROUGH THE APERTURES THEREIN, A TUBULAR SPACER SURROUNDING THE ROD BETWEEN THE WEBS, INNER CUPS MOUNTED ON THE ROD ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE SPACER WITH THEIR CONCAVE SIDES TOWARD THE WEBS, OUTER CUPS MOUNTED ON THE END PORTIONS OF THE ROD ON THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WEBS FROM THE INNER CUPS WITH THEIR CONCAVE SIDES TOWARD THE WEBS, BODIES EACH FORMED WITH SUBSTANTIALLY HEMISPHERICAL AND FLAT SURFACES AND A CENTRAL APERTURE NORMAL TO THE FLAT 